Career Paths for PhD Graduates

What can I be with a PhD?

Biomedical scientists may use their knowledge of biomedical research to:

• Direct a research lab and decide which scientific questions to investigate
• Be part of a team of scientists working together to solve problems of health and disease
• Manage and coordinate large scientific projects (across institutions and/or across the world)
• Teach others about biomedical science including how to do research and how to think about and understand scientific information
• Inform policy makers about scientific matters that impact health and science
• Communicate (by writing and speaking) and disseminate the latest information about scientific and medical discoveries
• Translate discoveries and inventions from the most fundamental level to every day usage

Where do biomedical scientists work?

Academic institutions (research and administration)

• Large research universities
• Small liberal arts colleges
• Medical centers and medical schools
• Dental, veterinary and optometry schools
• Hospitals
• Research institutes
• Community colleges
• High schools

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, including:

• NIH - National Institutes of Health
• FDA - Food and Drug Administration
• CDCP - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• NSF - National Science Foundation
• EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
• NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• USDA - Department of Agriculture
• VA - Veterans' Administration
• DOD - Department of Defense
• US Congress
• Executive Branch of the Federal Government
• State and county health departments

Mass communication organizations and businesses

• Newspapers and magazines
• Internet-based communications
• Broadcast media (television, radio, movies)
• Scientific journals and textbooks
  

Law firms (patent and intellectual property law)

Consulting firms

• Judicial system - scientific evidence in trials
• Financial - advising regarding investments in biotechnology, drug and medical device development
• Healthcare
• Educational
  
  Philanthropic and non-profit organizations
  

• NAS/IOM - National Academies of Science/Institute of Medicine
• Scientific societies and associations
• Private foundations

General information about careers in biomedical science

ScienceCareers.org - Find a job in science - searchable by location including international, field, keyword, etc.

PhD Jobs - Includes jobs from across the United States including Biological Science, Business, Education, Engineering, Health & Medicine, Information Science, Law, Science

ScienceCareers.org "Mastering Your Ph.D.: Preparing for Your Post-Ph.D. Career" - Survival and success in the doctoral years and beyond

National Postdoc Organization - Providing a national voice and seeking positive change for postdoctoral scholars

Choosing a Postdoctoral Position - Advice on finding the best postdoc for you

PhDs.org: Science, Math, and Engineering Career Resources - Information for scientists and would-be scientists at all levels, from high school students through Nobel laureates.